In this engaging smartphone review, we crack the case on the HTC EVO 3D mobile device.

It was only a matter of time until 3D technology made its way into the smartphone arena.  HTC has jumped into the 3D game with the EVO 3D, which is the nation’s first 4G smartphone carrying a 4.3-inch 3D qHD display.  Luckily, the EVO 3D has much more to offer than a flashy display, as it packs a full punch in terms of its performance, design, and features as well.  The HTC EVO 3D is available for $199.99 after rebates and a two-year contract with Sprint.

The HTC EVO 3D has a typical smartphone design, with a rectangular body, rounded edges, and a black color scheme.  It measures 5.0 inches tall by 2.6 inches wide by 0.5 inch thick and weighs six ounces.  It is rather large, but it is portable enough to fit in a pocket without much trouble.  The phone’s back panel also has a nice textured surface that makes it easy to grip.  The display dominates the front of the phone, and we will get into its details in a moment.  Beneath the display are four touch-sensitive controls for Home, Menu, Back, and Search.  Notable omissions that EVO loyalists may notice in this edition of the smartphone include an integrated kickstand for easy viewing and a HDMI port.

The design highlight of the EVO 3D is obviously its 4.3-inch touch-screen qHD Super LCD display that’s 3D-friendly.  You don’t need any goofy glasses to view objects in 3D on the smartphone, either.  The 3D effect is produced by layering two separate images on top of the screen via a parallax barrier.  This technology is used in the Nintendo 3DS, and it works well when you want to view videos or play games in 3D.  As a bonus, the phone comes with the 3D version of The Green Hornet, as well as a demo of Spider Man 3D, the video game so you can test out the display immediately at no extra cost.  You can also view your own 3D content in the form of photos and videos thanks to the aforementioned 5-megapixel cameras with 3D shooting capability. 

Viewing 3D content on the EVO 3D is quite fun and it definitely may keep you busy for the first few days of ownership.  The 3D quality may not seem as deep when compared to the Nintendo 3DS, but it still gets the job done.  Do not expect wide viewing angles in 3D, as objects will look distorted.  When looking at them straight ahead, however, they look great.  Of course, having a 3D display could wear off over time, as you might find yourself yearning to see objects in their standard form once again.

The display itself produces vibrant graphics via its 540 x 960 resolution.  It’s also quite responsive to the touch, and the large display size makes typing on the virtual keyboard an easy task.  For quicker typing, you have the option of using the phone’s Swype feature.  The large display also comes in handy when browsing the web.

The HTC EVO 3D ships with the Android 2.3 operating system, which is more commonly referred to as Gingerbread.  This means that you get plenty of Google goodies, such as Gmail, Google Talk, Google Maps, Google Calendar, YouTube, and more.  You also get access to the Android Market and its seemingly never-ending catalog of apps.  Functionalities that come as a result of the operating system’s improvements include better download management, internet calling, improved copy/paste and keyboard, plus much more.  Another core feature that amps up the EVO 3D’s appeal is its inclusion of the new HTC Sense user interface.  It offers shortcuts to your favorite apps, a customizable lock screen, and more.

The basic phone features of the EVO 3D include a speakerphone, alarm clock, calculator, voice recorder, voice dialing, and conference calling.  There’s plenty of room for all of your contacts and their important data, and you can pair them with a photo and ringtone.  For quick entering of your contacts, the phone comes with a contact linking feature that gathers all the necessary information from sources such as Facebook, Google, or Outlook.  As for the phone’s calling performance, you could say it’s decent at best.  Call clarity is not that bad, but volume seems to be lacking on regular calls and ones where the speakerphone is used. 

More advanced features of the EVO 3D begin with Bluetooth support for hands-free car kits, stereo headsets, and other profiles.  There’s integrated GPS onboard should you need it, and it works well in giving turn-by-turn directions.  Internet connectivity can be had via Wi-Fi, as well as 3G and 4G through Sprint.  The 4G capability is a definite plus, and it results in rather quick loading times when browsing the web or trying to stream video clips using the Flash-enabled browser.  You can also convert the EVO 3D into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight different devices at a time for an additional monthly fee.

Messaging options on the EVO 3D begin with text and multimedia messaging.  You can instant message as well via popular IM clients, or participate in video chat.  Personal and work email is another option.  Lastly, there’s Facebook and Twitter integration to keep you connected to your favorite social networks.

When a device comes with 3D capability, you expect it to have plenty of features related to entertainment.  In that sense, the HTC EVO 3D does not disappoint.  You can listen to music, watch videos, and enjoy games.  The phone comes with a few apps pre-installed, and you always have the option to download more from the Android Market.  If creating your own media is your thing, the phone’s dual 5-megapixel cameras will be of frequent use.  The cameras give you the option to take photos or record videos in 2D or 3D.  This feature alone could attract many buyers.  The cameras produce quality photos and videos and also offer a host of adjustable settings to get the right look. 

Since you will probably want to max out the EVO 3D’s usage across its feature set, performance is of utmost importance.  Thanks to the smartphone’s 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, you can enjoy all the phone has to offer in a snappy fashion.  Whether it’s gaming, watching videos, browsing the web, or launching apps, the phone reacts quickly without being lethargic.

Although the HTC EVO 3D may focus on its 3D capability as its main selling point, the smartphone is much more than that.  It has a solid design, full set of features, and good overall performance that make it an attractive buy for Sprint users seeking a top-notch communication device.

 

DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware.

More Mobile Devices Articles
More By wubayou

blog comments powered by Disqus